Plzeň wants to revive and enhance the stay in Míru Square, it announced a competition

Plzeň - Plzeň is seeking a new design for Míru Square. The city announced an architectural competition and wants the square to become a space where people feel good. Residents long agree that they want, among other things, more shade, places to sit, and areas where one can really spend time, not just pass through quickly. The results of the competition will be known in May, said Mayor Roman Zarzycký (ANO) to ČTK today.

"Today, most people know Míru Square mainly as a transfer hub. Tram, bus, a quick way to work or home. Yet it is a place with enormous potential. It was created as a botanical garden and beautiful old trees still grow there today. However, the atmosphere has disappeared, and the space has stopped serving the people," the mayor stated.

Míru Square is one of the most significant public spaces in Bory and the Southern Suburbs. It was established at the end of the 19th century as a botanical garden and still retains the character of an open urban park. Currently, it mainly serves as a transit corridor and a hub for public transport. In the announced competition, the city gives architects a clear brief - they should design a square where it will be possible to sit down, have coffee, let children play in the playground, meet friends, or just relax for a moment. To transform the square so that it works daily for people as a space for leisure. The competition should yield a proposal that brings a harmonious connection between the historical legacy of the place and contemporary demands on public space, thus creating a unique place with its own contemporary identity and standards of the neighborhood center.

In the future design of the square, the city aims to incorporate residents' suggestions. "People clearly told us what they are missing. Therefore, it is natural that their wishes are reflected in the competition conditions and will be part of the proposals for possible shapes of the square. We want people to want to come back here again. For Míru Square to regain its peace and pleasant atmosphere that it used to have," added the first deputy mayor Pavel Bosák (Pirates).

"Input from the people was one of the foundations for the competition and helped us understand better what people miss here and how they perceive the space today," confirmed Irena Vostracká, director of the Department of Concept and Development of the City of Plzeň. All proposals will later be publicly presented by the city so that everyone can get an idea of how the square could change.

The city’s estimated costs for implementation are according to the competition brief 90 million crowns excluding VAT. Proposals can be submitted until the afternoon of March 25.